PHILIPSBURG--The Police Traffic Department is presently investigating a traffic accident involving Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure VROMI, Miklos Giterson, who at the time was driving his government car MR-6, and a Toyota Hiace bus early Thursday morning.

 

The accident took place at approximately 5:45 on L.B. Scott Road. “According to reports, the MR-6 rear-ended the bus while traveling in the same direction,” police spokesman Chief Inspector Ricardo Henson stated in a press release. “There were five passengers in the bus at the time of the accident. Passengers who were injured in the collision were transported to the St. Maarten Medical Center. According to the information made available by the hospital, all have been released after examination and medical treatment. The nature of their injuries is unknown.”

 

On the arrival of the investigating officers and based on the information they gathered on the scene, Giterson was arrested at 5:50am and, according to the press release, was ”suspected of driving a car while being under the influence of alcohol. Such act is considered a crime on St. Maarten.”

 

He was taken to the police headquarters in Philipsburg where he was led before the acting prosecutor and was allowed to speak to his lawyer. “After being questioned by the acting prosecutor the suspect remained in custody to go through the entire legal process and to allow for the investigating officer of the Traffic Department to continue the investigation. After being questioned the suspect was released by orders of the acting prosecutor,” Henson added.